Improvement in automatic steam-boiler feeders



JEROME 'WHEELOCK. Improvement in Automatic Stea m Boiler Feeders. No. 125,106. H P'atentedMarch26 1872.

Wifizgws J I 17206733??? K W? yMWWM Q30, I if? JEROME WHEELOUK, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC STEAM-BOILER FEEDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,106, dated March 26, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEROME WHEELOGK, of the city and county of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Steam- Boiler Feeders.

My improvement relates to that general class of automaticboiler-feeders which are controlled by expansible pipes, which are placed outside the boiler and connected with its interior at points above and below the proper water-line. My invention consists in constructing the expansible pipe in two or more longitudinal sections, the several longitudinal axes of which, while parallel with each other horizontally, are in diii'erent horizontal planes, so that, as the water falls in the boiler it will wholly leave that section of the pipe which occupies the highest plane, while the next lowest, or remainin g sections continue to be filled with water, and thus either secures a more rapid operation of the injecting apparatus, or prevent it from creating an excess of water within the boiler; and I do hereby declare that the following specification taken in connection with the drawing furnished and forming a part thereof, is a clear and true description of an apparatus involving my invention.

Figure 1 represents the front of a steanr boiler to which my apparatus is attached. Fig. 2 represents an expansible pipe detached, constructed as per my improvement.

' A denotes the expansible pipe, which may be composed of any of the well-known metallic alloys which are suitable for the purpose; it may be made in two sections, a and b, as shown in Fig. 2, or in three sections, a, b, and c, as shown in Fig. 1, or in more sections if desired. At its lowest end B it is rigidly connected to the boiler at a point sufficiently below the proper water-line, as will bring the highest end 0, also slightly below or on a level .with the said water-line; its highest end is connected by other pipes with the steam-space of the boiler, in such a manner as will secure the greatest possible freedom for its longitudinal contraction and expansion. The lengths of pipe between the different sections is preferably so slightly inclined from one plane to the other, that the greatest possible degree of longitudinal expansibility is secured, and also so as not to weaken it in the exercise of longitudinal pressure. When several lengths or sections are employed in a long pipe, each section may be loosely embraced at a central point between two guiding studs, (2, which will serve to stiffen it when operating longitudinally. The upper or free end 0 is provided with a longitudinallyprojeoting stud, e, which is jointed to a bellcrank lever, f, which is in turn pivoted below to a stationary hanger, and at its long end to a rod, g, which is connected to the valve of the injecting apparatus or, if desired, to a steamvalve which controls the action of a steampump, or with any other suitable boiler-feeding mechanism.

The operation of the apparatus is explained as follows: By way of illustration it will be assumed that a boiler is properly supplied, and that the entire pipe A is also filled with water, and therefore contracted to its minimum length 5 as the water falls in the boiler it will first leave the highest section 0 of the pipe, and permit that portion of its length to be freely expanding while the water continues to fall, until sufficient expansion has resulted to cause a small supply of water to be injected, and if the consumption does not exceed the supply, it will remain at about that point and continually feed, as required. Should the great use of steam cause the water to fall still lower, the next lower section I) would be exposed to the action of the steam, and by its increased longitudinal expansion open wider the valve, and cause a still greater supply to be injected, and

so on until the supply would exceed the demand, when the sections would one by one become filled with water and by contraction cause the supply to be gradually cut oft. In practice, my improved apparatus has demonstrated, that if properly applied, it will operate regularly, and maintain a practically-uniform supply of water in the boiler, and that itmay be relied upon for proper results as far as it is advisable to rely upon any automatic apparatus known to me, in connection with steamboilers or steam-machinery.

As heretofore constructed, the expansible pipes have been horizontal, and as the water would fall in the boiler, it would leave the pipe in such a manner as would expose it for its entire length to the action of steam, and thus cause it to expand to its fullest capacity, and thereby put the injecting apparatus into full operation; and as it would take considerable time for the pipe to get sutficiently cool to contract it and cut ott the supply, the water-level in the boiler would be made to fluctuate between certain excessive high and low points, either of which would be objectionable. My apparatus is more prompt and decided in its operative efi'ects, not only in supplying water, but in cutting otf the supply, and although the expansion and contraction is efl'ected in a more gradual manner than would be the case in a single length of horizontal pipe in one plane, the changes from supply to cut off are more promptly executed, and the apparatus is so sensitive, that it in practice will cause a continued supply without any objectionable fluctuation. It is obvious that by inclining the well-known straight pipe with one end lower than the other, substantially as shown herein,

below the water-line of the boiler, with its upper and lower ends connected respectively with the interior of the boiler, below and above the proper water-line and inclined, substantially as described, so that, as the water falls in the boiler it will wholly leave the highest portion of the pipe, and so on until the lowest point is reached, as and for the purposes specified.

JEROME VVHEELOOK.

Witnesses:

Gno. H. Sonrnwrcrc, EDWIN O. Hnvwoon. 

